The last time Manchester United rolled up in Leicester , the world was starting to take notice of Claudio Ranieri’s men — and especially Jamie Vardy.

Striker Vardy wrote his name into Premier League history that day in November 2015, scoring past David de Gea to net in his 11th successive game.

It was a magical moment as the former non-League striker broke Man United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record with an emphatic right-foot finish from Christian Fuchs’ inch-perfect pass.

Vardy and his flying Foxes were on an unstoppable roll that took them to a glorious title triumph last May.

Yet the Leicester who will welcome in-form United back to the King Power Stadium this Sunday are a shadow of that side.

Vardy's record-breaking goal last November added to Leicester's title momentum (Image: Getty)

A 1-0 loss at Burnley on Tuesday to Sam Vokes’ late goal has left Ranieri’s title-winners in 16th place, just two points above the drop zone and still without an away league win all season.

The Foxes now have the worst record after 23 games by a reigning top-flight champions.

After scoring 24 league goals last term, Vardy is firing blanks. His confidence, intensity and work-rate have all evaporated and he's scored just five times — failing to net at all since a hat-trick against Manchester City in early December.

Who are you, and what have you done with Jamie Vardy?

2016-17

2015-16

Appearances

20

36

Minutes Played

1522

3139

Goals Scored

5

24

Minutes Per Goal

304.4

130.8

Shots On Target

9

53

Total Shots

27

115

Assists

2

6

Minutes per Assist

761

523.2

Chances Created

16

48

And it isn't just Vardy, Leicester have scored one goal in their last SIX league matches.

The fans who celebrated last season's stunning 5,000-1 title triumph are starting to wonder if they’re following something just as shocking — the first English champions to be relegated since Man City did it in 1938.

Following their latest league defeat — a third on the spin — right-back Danny Simpson admitted: “We’re hurting. Everyone is devastated but we’ve got a massive game coming up at the weekend.

“It’s hard but, we’re at home, and we’ll have our fans behind us and we need to show the commitment we showed at Burnley.

It was the same old story for Leicester at Turf Moor on Tuesday — away defeat (Image: Getty)

“I thought that everyone was giving everything, it’s just hard to take and we need the fans more than ever. We all need to pull together and pick up some points.”

As well as Vardy's struggles, midfield workhorse N’Golo Kante making his summer defection to Chelsea has been a huge loss. Equally, his impact at Stamford Bridge has helped make his new club favourites to succeed Leicester as champions.

PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez’s body language has at times suggested he wished he had quit too instead of penning a new £100,000-a-week deal, as Vardy did when he rejected interest from Arsenal.

Kante (with trophy) is on course for back-to-back titles with Leicester and now Chelsea (Image: Getty)

Mahrez has failed to match the form that made him African Footballer of the Year (Image: AFP/Getty)

Vardy, Mahrez, Danny Drinkwater and co all earned their huge pay-rises last term. But this season none of them, nor the club's new signings, have given Leicester value for money.

The Foxes' poor recruitment has been a major factor in their woes, and director of football Jon Rudkin must be feeling the heat.

It remains to be seen if the January signings of £17million Wilfred Ndidi, just 20, and loanee Molla Wague will make much difference.

But perhaps more proven, well-known potential new recruits didn’t fancy a relegation battle – or, worse still, playing in the Championship next season.